Our culture often reduces love to pleasant emotions or something that should come easily. While that notion may mark the beginning of a love journey, it is never its fullness. Love will always ask more of us than we first imagined, and more than we think we have to give. It challenges us to become the people our souls are summoning us to be.

At times, we may feel that the love we have to offer is being wasted because we find ourselves in places we never intended to be — a lackluster job, a difficult relationship, or a season of deep loss.  Mary and Joseph knew what this was like. They found themselves facing an unexpected pregnancy that would forever alter the course of their lives.  Yet rather than deny or reject their reality, they chose to surrender it to Love.  They trusted that the very Love which had brought them this far would also see them through. We can choose to do the same with the challenging and unanticipated chapters of our lives.  

Each day offers us invitations to give the love we have — right here, right now —whatever the circumstances.  The choice is less about where we are meant to be and more about what we are meant to do. We are meant to love.

“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.” ― St. Teresa of Avila

Reflection questions:  How has love required me to give more than I expected?  When have I surrendered an unforeseen situation to Love?  What daily invitations to love have I received this Advent?

May you be inspired!   

NOTE: This reflection is part of an Advent Reflection Series initially published by Tau Center.  You can find the full series on  Still Point.